Cecilie's tuition - Help Cecilie stay in the USA

August 2023

Hi, my name is Cecilie, I am from Denmark and moved to South Carolina 2 years ago. For the last year I have been studying music - focusing on jazz saxophone, jazz voice, and composition - at the University of South Carolina. I also play music outside of school and have volunteered in the New Horizon Band Program and in the Orchestra at First Baptist Church, where I am a member.

In the two years I have been living in the US, God has provided for me in amazing ways. He always has been faithful and has previously opened doors for me to stay here, even when it looked impossible. I believe that God wants me to stay here in Columbia, SC, and to continue to study music. Last week the School of Music offered me a scholarship reducing my tuition by about 50%. Furthermore, a few weeks ago, God opened the door for me to take a paid internship working with Grammy-nominated jazz musicians this semester. The salary will cover my living expenses, but not my tuition. As an international student, I am required to study full-time to maintain my visa status and stay in the US.

There are many limitations to financial aid and scholarships for international students, and I need urgent help with paying my tuition. I have applied for a reduced course load for the Fall semester to lower the cost, and I am currently waiting to get that approved.

Assuming it is approved, and everything falls into place, I will be enrolling in 3 credit hours and my bill will be around $4000 including tuition, fees, and health insurance required for international students. If they require me to study full time the bill will be around $9500 + fees and insurance. Subsequent semesters will cost around $9500 + fees and insurance as well.

Some of the money I may be able to earn through work, but I am limited in how much I can work on a student visa. For example, I have a master's degree in psychology, but I am not allowed to take any psychology-related jobs off-campus; on-campus student jobs have a very low salary; and I am not allowed to work more than 20 hours a week on school weeks.

In addition to this fundraiser, I am actively applying for jobs that may provide a work visa, and I am looking into scholarships that may be available for international students.

If I end up having to go to Denmark, I am going to refund all donations. If I get more than the goal stated here, the money will go to my tuition bill in the following semesters.

I appreciate any amount you may help me with.

Thank you for considering supporting me.

Sincerely,

Cecilie